Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-01-20

Various theories have been advanced as
accounting for this delay, but all OF
them, "a far az can be learned, upon
equally baseless foundations A Dis
patch reporter saw Sergeant Smith
yesterday afternoon, and between the
two the following conversation on the
ssubject took place
Has Cluverius's room been opened?
queried the scribe.
No, sir; replied the Sergeant
When will it be opened?
Some time next week, suppose.
Why are you waiting so long to have
it opened?
am waiting TO hear something from
his (Cluverius's) family on the subject.
is not Willie Cluverus in the city?
have heard that he Is, but | have
not seen him.
You will not open the room, then,
until you hear from some OF the
family?
No, sir. / shall wait to hear from
them as to what they want done with
what he left there, and | should like to
have some one Of them present when
an examination is had.
Did not the prisoner prior TO his exc
cutiOn give to Mr.. Dunn n statement OF
what disposition he wished made OF his
effects
have not seen Mr.. Dunn since the
DAY Of the execution. lie told me
then that Cuverius had given him q
statement of what he wanted done with
a part Of the things left in his cell. ]
don't know what articles are included
in this statement, or what were Gu
vcrius's wishes as expressed III the
paper given Mr.. Dunn.
RULE AGAINST CITY SERGEANT, GROWING
OUT OF CLUyEEIUs's EXECUTION.
judge Atkins has issued a rule against
City-Sergcant Smith to appear before
the Hastings Court and show cause why
he should not he punished for violating
the law of Virginia and the instructions
Of the court given him in regard to the
privacy OF Cluverius's execution.
The old law contained in the Code
provides that at all executions in TINS
State there shall he present the officers
of the court, and such other officers,
guards, and assistants as the Sergeant
may see fit also, counsel for the pri-
soncr and twelve citizcus-as jury, q
physician or surgeon. and such minis
ters of the gospel as the prisoner may
desire, and such Of the prisoners rcla-
tions as the Sergeant shall deem iit
Since the foregoing law was passed
the following enactment has been made
"That il shall not be lawful hereafter
in this State to execute the death pen
atty on any condemned criminal in a
public manner, hut only in the pres
once Of such officers OF the court as
may he necessary 10 see that the sen
tcncc Of the court Is properly carried
into effect.
The instructions given the City Ser
ccant were in compliance with this sub
scqucnt enactment, and the charge
comes under the head of contempt OF
court, and amy offender Is liable to fine
and imprisonment.
II EXHIBITION or TIE CLUyEKIJ5 ROPE
STOPPED.
1t having come to the knowledge Of
Judge Atkins that f. j. Brown, the
maker and possessor of the rope with
which Cluverius was hung, had the
same on public exhibition, the Judge
very properly yesterday sent Sergeant
Smith to the place, on Broad street be
tween Seventh and Eighth, and stopped
the exhibition and took the rope in
charge.
SCRATCHES or THE HAND.
1t is observable that i'll his book Gu
V, RUS makes no reference at all to the
scratches found on his hand when ne was
arrested, and Of which he gave conflict
ing accounts, but which the counsel for
the Commonwealth insisted were made